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A Few Things The Nigerian Federal Government Information App Should Do

Nigeria's Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, recently announced that the Federal Government of Nigeria would be launching an app called the Federal Government Information App (FGIAPP) that would feed news and updates about all activities of the government to its citizens.

Nigeria's Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed

According to Mohammed, the new app will leverage on social media to deliver government policies, programmes and activities from ministries, departments and agencies to a global audience on a real-time basis.

With the new App, it means anybody anywhere in the world will get to know, real time, what is happening in Nigeria at least from our own perspective and narrative”, said Lai Mohammed. This is a smart move by the government to control the narrative and keep the citizens in the loop on a regular basis. Hopefully, there’ll be a live chat bot for instant support and prompt response of frequently asked questions.

“We as a government and as Information Ministry will leverage on the unique technology to inform the world about what we are doing."Lai Mohammed, Nigeria's Minister of Information

Meanwhile, some of us are hoping this is not another boring news platform that feeds us dead-ass gist about how President Muhammadu Buhari is fighting “Kwarupshun” and how his team is trying its best to salvage what is left from the supposed dastardly effect of the previous government.

The FGIAPP should be rich in data and figures just like the Nigerian Communications Commission's website. It should also have a recruitment portal like the one on the Nigerian Army website. However, it must have a calendar that actually includes public holidays and observances, not just months and days.

The point of the calendar at the bottom of the Nigerian Army website is unknown.

It must include all social media handles, phone numbers, websites and addresses of all government parastatals.

A list of past, ongoing and future projects like the one on former Lagos governor and now Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola’s website - the one that allegedly cost him N78 million - must not be left out.

The app will be launched in Abuja on December 15, 2016. Let’s hope it serves the original purpose and doesn't end up as a waste of taxpayers' money.

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